In paragraph 11 of "A Big Surprise from the Edge of the Solar System," the meaning of the word "acute" that best applies is:
B) intense
In this context, "acute" is used to describe a situation or feeling that is very intense or severe. It suggests a high level of intensity or seriousness. In the paragraph, the word "acute" is likely used to convey a sense of urgency or severity regarding a particular aspect of the story.
For example, if a character in the story experiences acute distress, it means they are feeling an intense level of distress, not just a mild or moderate amount. This intense feeling is crucial to understanding the impact of the situation being described in the paragraph.